14th ICID - Poster Abstracts - International Society for Infectious ...

When citing these abstracts please use the following reference:
Author(s) of abstract. Title of abstract [abstract]. Int J Infect Dis 2010;14S1: Abstract number.
Please note that the official publication of the International Journal of Infectious Diseases 2010, Volume 14, Supplement 1
is available electronically on http://www.sciencedirect.com
Final Abstract Number: 81.003
Session: Public Health Interventions, Modeling & Training
Date: Friday, March 12, 2010
Time: 12:30-13:30
Room: Poster & Exhibition Area/Ground Level
Type: Poster Presentation
Application of international health regulations in the Singapore pandemic influenza experience
P. L. Ooi
Ministry of Health, Singapore, Singapore
Background: The global spread of novel influenza A (H1N1-2009) constituted a public health
emergency of international concern (PHEIC). Singapore's defense against this pandemic strain
comprised public health measures in compliance with WHO's International Health Regulations
(IHR), 2005. We report herein on the epidemiology and control of the first 350 cases notified in
May-Jun 2009.
Methods: We investigated into the first 350 laboratory-confirmed cases of novel influenza A
(H1N1-2009) identified from the healthcare institutions between 27 May and 25 Jun 2009.
Epidemiological details of these cases were retrieved and analysed. Contact tracing and active
case finding were also instituted for each reported case, and relevant particulars including flight
information provided to WHO and overseas counterparts.
Results: The first 350 novel influenza A (H1N1-2009) cases comprised 221(63%) imported
cases, 124 (35%) locally acquired cases and 4(2%) cases with unknown source. The imported
cases consisted of three waves involving the US, Australia and Southeast Asia. In the first wave,
11 (69%) of the 16 imported cases had visited the USA within seven days prior to their onset of
illness between 25 May and 4 Jun 2009. In the second wave, 20 (74%) of the 27 imported cases
between 5 Jun and 12 Jun had traveled to Melbourne, Australia. In the third wave, 90 (50.6%) of
the 178 imported cases between 13 Jun and 25 Jun were acquired from intra-regional travel in
Southeast Asia. Specifically, 49 cases were from the Philippines and 40 (82%) of them had
traveled to Manila. A total of 667 communications were effected through the IHR mechanism,
majority within 24 hours of disease notification.
Conclusion: Singapore experienced an unprecedented level of international cooperation for
surveillance and response to this novel Influenza A (H1N1-2009) pandemic. Through the timely
sharing and open reporting of major public health events, we established a network of
collaboration which facilitated not only notification of confirmed cases, but also bilateral
communications in a manner that was rational, predictable and productive. The IHR mechanism
has served as an effective channel to engage in regional cooperation concerning disease
surveillance and data sharing.